Downingtown STEM Academy
- Public, Magnet
- DOWNINGTOWN, PA
Magnet School
Downingtown STEM Academy
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Public, Magnet
- 9-12
- DOWNINGTOWN, PA
- Rating 4.36 out of 5 121 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade A+
- Diversitygrade A minus
- Teachersgrade A+
- College Prepgrade A+
- Clubs & Activitiesgrade A minus
- Administrationgrade A minus
- Sportsgrade unavailable
- Foodgrade B+
- Resources & Facilitiesgrade B minus
editorial
About
Downingtown STEM Academy Rankings
Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.
Academics
Percent Proficient - Reading
99%
Percent Proficient - Math
95%
Average Graduation Rate
99%
Average SAT
1360
502 responses
Average ACT
31
116 responses
AP Enrollment
9%
Popular Colleges
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.
Map
Map
Note: School map boundaries may have changed for the current school year. Please contact your school district to verify school assignment for your child.
Home Listings
- Cost of Livinggrade B minus
- Good for Familiesgrade A
- Housinggrade B
Median Household Income
$72,669
National
$69,021Median Rent
$1,254
National
$1,163Median Home Value
$261,600
National
$244,900Culture & Safety
Poll
92%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school. 24 responsesPoll
83%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. 24 responsesStudents
Diversity
grade A minus
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
883
Free or Reduced Lunch
4%
96%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive. 26 responses73%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy. 26 responses27%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. 26 responsesTeachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
National
17:1Average Teacher Salary
$74,666
Teachers in First/Second Year
5.4%
85%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. 27 responses85%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. 27 responses70%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. 27 responsesClubs & Activities
Clubs & Activities
grade A minus
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
Expenses Per Student
$16,571 / year
National
$12,23996%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. 27 responses78%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need. 27 responses89%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations. 27 responsesSimilar Schools
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Downingtown STEM Academy Reviews
Rating 4.36 out of 5 121 reviews
The Downingtown STEM Academy is an extremely rigorous and demanding program. Therefore, in order to be successful individuals must learn good study habits, how to advocate for themselves, good communication and collaboration skills, and how to manage time. Overall, the STEM environment gives off more of a college campus vibe, as opposed to a general high school vibe. The students have a lot of freedom in that there are no hall passes, students are permitted to work outside of the classroom, there's a lot of long-term assignments, and the teachers do not hand-hold their students. The teachers are mostly incredibly supportive, qualified, and dedicated (although as in any school there will always be a few exceptions). The teachers and staff work to provide a safe community and promote good mental health. Due to the rigorous nature of the program, most students suffer from mental health issues, which need to continually be addressed. Overall, DASD's STEM is a great school and community.
As a sophomore, I have really enjoyed my time in STEM so far. The school also makes a point to prepare all students for college, starting freshman year. Adding to this, STEM gives all students freedom, so we can learn independence in a controlled environment. We are encouraged to advocate for ourselves and learn the importance of self-sufficiency. However, I do not like how some teachers do not act upon student requests or complaints, whether it's asking to not work with someone who will only hurt the project grade, or being flexible/understanding of our busy schedules. I would like to see this change, as there have been days my attendance is required in multiple classes at once and my teachers wouldn't listen to my circumstances.
The best part about STEM is by far the community. The school fosters a collaborative environment that allows us to really connect with people outside of our friend groups. There is a lot of trust between students and teachers, because of the independence and opportunities that we are given that come with responsibilities. The small classes mean that everyone pretty much knows everyone, which is mostly a blessing but sometimes a curse. There are lots of STEM traditions and school-wide activities that allow the different grades to mix and bond. The academics are competitive and certain classes can be awful, depending on the teacher, so it's not for everyone. My biggest complaint would be that admin definitely plays favorites, so you have to make yourself known with a good impression if you want o be chosen for opportunities. The workload can be tough. The IB is definitely a challenge, but part of the community is that we all persevere together. I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else.